Tom Lin

First, we want to say THANK YOU again for your wonderful support over the past few months. Your investment in our ministry and in global missions has encouraged us so much, and it has strengthened us for our return.

Tomorrow (Jan. 27th), we embark on the 20-hour trip back to the cold Mongolian winter. On one hand, we’re really excited about being with our Mongolian staff and students again. On the other hand, we feel anxious. It’ll be a major TRANSITION, as we learn not only how to minister as parents with a 3-month old baby, but also how to live as a family in such an isolated context!

Our preparations have included taking Abby on 3 round-trip plane flights and 2 conferences in the past 5 weeks. (She did well.) In between trips, we spent Christmas and New Year’s in CHICAGO, where we enjoyed time with Nancy’s family and Tom’s dad. We also celebrated Nancy’s 33rd birthday and Abby’s 100-day birthday, a traditional Korean celebration.

On Jan. 4-9 in St. Louis, we had a wonderful time connecting with old friends and colleagues at InterVarsity’s triennial NATIONAL STAFF CONFERENCE. The theme was “Missio Dei” or God’s mission, which prepared us for our transition, re-focusing us on God’s call in our lives to Mongolia. During that week, we also had the opportunity to encourage other staff by teaching a missions seminar and co-leading a one-day consultation on “Asian Americans in Missions.” Thanks to you who prayed for this consultation, which we believe will yield more AA’s doing student work overseas, as well as better care for staff in the field.

On Dec. 26-30, we were so encouraged to be with like-minded people at the Chinese Missions Convention in Philadelphia. Tom was a plenary speaker and made connections with many young adults who are sensing God’s call to Asia. Afterwards, our speaking schedule finished up back in Chicago, where we shared at Taiwanese Presbyterian Church and Hanna Presbyterian Church.

Finally, we returned back to the BAY AREA on Jan. 16, in time for Abby’s Infant Dedication and then a special re-commissioning time at Wellspring. The last week has also been full of family medical appointments and shopping for supplies, but our meetings and phone calls with many of you have certainly been highlights! It will cause us to miss you all the more!

** NEW PHOTOS: To see our most recent photos of Abby and our holidays, please click on: http://www.tomandnancylin.com/photos/ . We’ve also made available a NEW VIDEO, “Why Mongolia Missions?” courtesy of Wellspring. See http://www.tomandnancylin.com/multimedia/ . Enjoy!

** FEATURE ARTICLE on Mongolian Street Children: In a recent issue of Christianity Today (January), there was a featured article about the poverty and street children in Mongolia. It gives you some idea of our context. If you’re interested in reading it, it’s also online: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/001/36.54.html

- - - - - [Please print and pray] DURING OUR TRANSITION, PLEASE PRAY FOR: - - - - - - -

1. SUPPORT & VISION FOR NANCY. Nancy will not be simply moving back to Mongolia, but she will also go back into a very different role - full-time mom and part-time staff. We expect the transition to be especially difficult since (a) it will be extremely cold and difficult for her to go out with Abby, and (b) there are no existing support structures for moms as there are in America. Pray for the Lord to guide her toward potential Mongolian and ex-pat mothers with whom she can form her own “support group”. Pray for vision and wisdom as to
her role as a part-time staff, and how she might effectively serve.

2. LEADERSHIP FOR TOM. Similarly, Tom will be re-shaping his role by focusing more on organizational leadership. While he will continue to supervise the Mongolian staff, he will invest more in FCS administration, training, and finances, which will also allow him a more flexible schedule. Pray for the Lord’s wisdom as there are many important upcoming ministry decisions and as Tom seeks to be a godly father to Abby. Pray also for a quick, re-establishing of relationships with local pastors, our staff, and our student leaders, and that they would respond to Tom’s leadership.

3. STUDENT LEADERSHIP CAMPS (JAN. 28-29 and FEB. 14-18). The day we arrive in Mongolia is the start of “Chapter Camp,” which is a time when leaders gather to plan for the 2nd semester. Please pray for Tom, who will jump right in (after a few hours sleep)! Feb. 14-18, the first week of 2nd semester, is a special training course we’ve designed for students preparing for leadership. Pray for 100% participation by all students who are invited to this training camp.

4. NEW CO-LABORERS, COLLIN and CHUN. We are excited about 2 Americans who will move to Mongolia next week to partner with us. They have committed to 1-year of service, coming as tentmakers but serving as “helpers” in our work. Collin will teach English full-time at the Korean MK Elementary School, while developing our FCS male students during his free time. Chun will teach English at Ulaanbaatar University, where he can reach out and make contact with many Mongolian students and then connect them to FCS. Please pray for both Collin and Chun, esp. for their transition and their work.

Blessings and Thanks,
Tom and Nancy

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